Marauders edge Jackson, 1-0

ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio — Another one-run victory over Jackson. This time, however, the Marauders didn’t take nearly as long to accomplish the same feat.

After needing two days to knock off the top-seeded Ironmen (4-3) in the 2015 Division II sectional tournament, the Meigs baseball team remained unbeaten this spring after Kaileb Sheets scored on an error in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday night — giving the hosts a 1-0 non-conference decision in Meigs County.

MHS (2-0) produced three of the five hits in the contest, as well as three of the four errors between the two programs during a tightly-contested seven-inning affair.

The lone Jackson (1-1) error, however, proved to be quite costly — as it led to the only run of the game.

Christian Mattox led the bottom of the seventh off with single, but Sheets grounded into a fielder’s choice that led to Mattox being forced out at second base.

From there, Bryce Hall entered the game in relief of JHS starter Hunter Sexton — who allowed only two hits over 6.1 innings of work.

Chase Whitlatch took a 1-1 offering from Hall and advanced Sheets to third with a single, then Cody Bartrum was issued an intentional walk to load the bases — setting up force outs and double play possibilities at any base.

Meigs junior Layne Acree got a piece of a 3-1 offering, which dribbled out between home plate and the pitcher’s mound. Hall fielded the ball and attempted a throw home, but the relay was off target.

The errant throw allowed Acree to reach safely as Sheets scored, giving the Maroon and Gold their second consecutive shutout victory.

Mattox started and went five innings, allowing two hits and three walks while fanning nine. Sheets ended up picking up the winning decision after striking out three and walking one batter in two innings.

Sexton — a Marshall University baseball signee — suffered the setback after striking out 16 and walking eight.

Sexton didn’t allow a hit through five-and-a-third innings until Luke Musser singled to load the bases with two away in the sixth. Sexton also walked the bases loaded with one out in the fifth, but Jackson escaped both situations without harm.

The Ironmen’s biggest scoring threat came in the top of the fourth as back-to-back two-out errors gave the guests runners on the corners, then Hall received a walk that loaded the bases.

Mattox induced a 4-3 groundout to the next batter, allowing Meigs to complete four scoreless frames. MHS left eight runners on base, while Jackson stranded six on the bags.

Austin Leach singled in the second and Lukas White singled in the fifth, giving the Ironmen their only hits of the contest.